Donald Trump said the United States will send more weapons to Ukraine after last week’s announcement that Washington stopped sending some key weapons to Kiev.
Trump said during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he was “dissatisfied” with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and that Ukraine “had a big hit”.
Trump also said the United States will mainly send “defense weapons” to help Ukraine’s war efforts.
The arms suspended last week reportedly included Patriot air defense missiles and precision artillery shells. Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine called for continued cargo, describing the American Patriot system as “the true protector of life.”
The White House said last week that the decision was to “put the interests of the United States first” in response to the Department of Defense’s scrutiny of military support for other countries.
Trump has clearly changed his mind behind the barrage of Russian drones and missiles in Ukrainian cities (including the capital Keefe). An attack on the city last Thursday took away a third life, according to local officials.
Trump said late Monday that Kiev needs to be able to defend itself.
“We will send more weapons. We have to…they are getting hit hard right now,” he said in a press conference with Netanyahu.
He added: “I am disappointed that President Putin has not stopped.”
The Pentagon responded with a brief statement. “In the direction of President Trump, the Ministry of Defense is sending more defensive weapons to Ukraine to ensure that the Ukrainians defend themselves while we work to ensure lasting peace and ensure that the killings stop,” said the Ministry of Defense.
Paul Adams of the BBC in Kyiv said the U.S. move will ease Ukraine after a week of uncertainty.
Kiev warned that the move to suspend some cargo would hinder its ability to defend against escalating air strikes and advances on the Russian front.
Zelensky said late last week that he talked with Trump about “air defense opportunities” and agreed that we will work together to strengthen protection of the sky.”
The war in Ukraine has been raging for more than three years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The ceasefire negotiations have also stalled significantly after several Trump attempts to reach a deal between the two parties.
After a call with Putin last week, Trump said “no progress” to end the conflict, adding: “I don’t think he wants to stop.”
Hours later, Ukraine said Russia launches record 539 drones and 11 missiles Faced with Kyiv, but also hit the areas of Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Chernihiv.
Zelensky called on international allies, especially the United States, to increase pressure on Moscow and impose greater sanctions.
